December 23rd 2024.
DJ McKinney couldn't contain his smile as he ran back an interception for a touchdown against Oklahoma State at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado on Nov. 29, 2024. The energy and excitement of the game was amplified by the recent accomplishments of their teammate, Travis Hunter, who had just won the Heisman Trophy. Watching Hunter receive such a prestigious award had a profound impact on the Colorado players, including McKinney.
Their head coach, Deion Sanders, recognized the importance of celebrating Hunter's achievements and wanted to use it as motivation for the rest of the team. So, he had Hunter and his quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, stand in front of their teammates and talked about their awards, reminding them that any one of them could be next. McKinney took this message to heart and was inspired to strive for greatness, just like Hunter.
"I couldn't believe it when I saw Travis walk into the after party with the Heisman Trophy," McKinney recalled. "It made me realize that I could also achieve something like that next year. I could see myself holding that trophy and it would be surreal. Travis is so deserving of it and it's an honor to be a part of it."
McKinney, along with the rest of the 20th-ranked Buffs, were focused on their upcoming game against No. 17 BYU in the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. But McKinney couldn't help but think about the impact Hunter's departure would have on the team. As a cornerback on the opposite side of Hunter, McKinney had a great season and with Hunter moving on to the NFL, he would likely take on the role of their top corner next year.
"I'm ready for it," McKinney declared. "I'm going to attack it and make sure I'm on top of my game, so I can lead the rest of my team to success."
Although Hunter may have overshadowed him, McKinney had an impressive season of his own. He had 60 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups. He even tied for fourth in the Big 12 in pass breakups and returned an interception for a touchdown against his former team, Oklahoma State, in a 52-0 victory at Folsom Field.
Being on the opposite side of Hunter meant that McKinney often saw more action on the field, with opposing quarterbacks targeting his receivers 67 times. But despite the increased attention, McKinney only gave up 35 passes for 302 yards. He also took pride in his ability to stop the run, a skill he developed from his early days playing middle linebacker.
"I've always loved tackling," McKinney explained. "I watched a lot of Ray Lewis growing up and that's where I learned the importance of tackling and run support. It's just something I embrace and it's a part of my game."
As the team prepares for their bowl game, McKinney is focused on making the most of his last opportunity to play with his current teammates. This will be his second bowl game, with his first being last year as a redshirt freshman at Oklahoma State. He's excited to work on his craft and help prepare the younger players for the game.
"It's all about technique and playing sound football," McKinney said. "We're also focused on helping the younger players get a feel for the game. This is our chance to get better and we're going to make the most of it."
With the season winding down, McKinney is already looking forward to the future and filling Hunter's shoes as the top cornerback for the Buffs. He's determined to continue working hard and striving for greatness, just like his teammate and mentor, Travis Hunter.
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